water cycle
the flow of water over the land
run off
sunlight
Sunlight
biodegradable materials from plants or animals, including food scraps, yard trimmings, and paper
Organic Waste
the process where a liquid, like water, changes into a gas or vapor without boiling
what is evaporation
air pollutants like CO2, which cause climate change, and other harmful substances like nitrogen dioxide
Auto & Factory Emissions
a positively charged polyatomic ion formed when ammonia
Ammonium (NH4)
The process where a gas, like water vapor, changes into a liquid
What is condensation
coal, oil, and natural gas
what is Fossil fuels
a microbial process in the nitrogen cycle where bacteria convert nitrate into nitrogen
Denitrification
water falling from from the school
Precipitation
When water moves through a plant and then evaporates from its leaves, stems, and flowers
What is transpiration
living things that break down dead organic matter, like dead plants and animals, returning essential nutrients to the environment
Organism Decay
a two step process in which NH3/ NH4+ is converted to NO3
Nitrification (NO3)
makes up approximately 78% of the Earth's atmosphere
Nitrogen Gas (N2) in the Atmosphere
The process which plants absorb water and essential nutrients from their environment through their roots and from the air
What is plant uptake
The process which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into energy
What is Photosynthesis
transports atmospheric nitrogen, often as nitrates formed by lightning, to the soil, making it available for plants
precipitation
composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms
CO2